Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Richard Glossip, a man who has maintained his innocence for 27 years and averted multiple attempts at execution, had his murder conviction and death penalty thrown out by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The ruling comes after years of legal battles for Glossip, who was found guilty in the 1997 killing of a motel owner in Oklahoma City.

The decision to overturn Glossip’s conviction was based on prosecutors’ failure to disclose crucial evidence to the defense. The court ruled that a key witness was allowed to give false testimony, violating Glossip’s right to a fair trial. This rare alliance between Glossip’s lawyers and the state’s Republican attorney general paved the way for a new trial for Glossip, who has spent nearly half his life behind bars.

Glossip’s attorney, Don Knight, welcomed the court’s decision, stating that it was a victory for justice and fairness in the judicial system. Glossip’s wife, Lea, expressed relief and gratitude, calling the ruling an answered prayer. Despite the overturning of his conviction, Glossip is expected to remain in prison as the state decides whether to retry him.

There were dissenting opinions from Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, who voted to uphold Glossip’s conviction and death sentence. Justice Amy Coney Barrett suggested allowing a state appeals court to determine the next steps. The court’s decision was met with mixed reactions, with the victim’s family expressing a desire to see Glossip executed.

The case against Glossip stemmed from allegations of a murder-for-hire scheme, with another man, Justin Sneed, admitting to the killing but implicating Glossip. New evidence that emerged in 2023 raised concerns about the fairness of Glossip’s trial, leading to the Supreme Court’s intervention. The court’s ruling to block Glossip’s execution marked a significant turning point in his legal battle.

Moving forward, Oklahoma officials will confer on the next steps in Glossip’s case. The complexities of retrying Glossip after so many years present challenges, as Attorney General Gentner Drummond voiced his skepticism about Glossip’s innocence. The case has seen multiple twists and turns over the years, with Glossip’s story capturing national attention for its legal intricacies and enduring pursuit of justice.